Regimental Dispatch

January 2002       Sic Semper Tyrranus Richmond, VA

Commander’s Column

It is good to have this time off.  I know I am enjoying the respite.  Oh, I forgot, there is no rest for the weary.  It is nice to have more time than usual.  

Camp of Instruction

The COI is going to happen, on the range and dates we requested.  We have been contacted about the logistics for the COI, however we are still waiting for the official letter stating we have it.  I will be contacting those vendors that provided the wood (just for Joe) and straw again to be ready for us.   I always look forward to the COI, I really enjoy this event almost more than any other event we attend.  Make a note of the date and plan to attend.  We will be on Range #18 Multi Purpose again.  The range has a good vehicle park that is out of sight from the main training area; a good tree-covered bivouac site directly adjacent to range area for all of our firing and drill programs; and an excellent wooded skirmish area for training. Now is the time for you to talk that "friend" into coming to this event to see if he wants to take up this hobby. The company will assist with a musket, equipment, etc., so talk it up! Tentage will be available again this year. There will be more to follow in upcoming newsletters.

Newsletter Editor Needed, Still!!!

Due to the overwhelming response to being the newsletter editor, I am taking my time selecting from the huge pile of resumes that are interested in performing this task.  All right, I am done with the satire, you all get the picture.  

Annual Meeting Info

 Location, Location, Location, we now have a hard date for the Annual Meeting Saturday, Feb 23^rd, 0900 to 1600 at Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield cafeteria on Staples Mill Rd. Richmond, VA.  The date and location have changed since the last newsletter due to construction that is planned for the Ashcreek Clubhouse.  I have been told that it should not impact us, however, knowing how things go, the timetable will be pushed back and it will impact us.  This new location has fallen into my lap.  In previous years this was not an option.  It is now a very viable option since it does NOT cost the company or its members any money.  Like I always say, free is free.  I am working all the details for this and all you will have to do is show up, help move existing chairs and tables around, clean up, and not destroy the place.  Plan to be there at 0900 to help set up.  Buzz and Ned’s barbeque will be served as usual.  Map, directions and other pertain information will be provided in the next newsletter.  Anyone wishing to arrive on Friday night you can stay at my home bring a sleeping bag! 

Events?

The following is revised tentative list of events for the 2002 reenactment year.  I am giving you this list before the annual meeting so we can have a more lively discussion during the meeting and so you can plan ahead to be at these events. 

COI                                         22-24 March
Saylers Creek                       6-7 April
Rich CW Days                     27 April
Fort Pocahontas                  18-19 May
Cold Harbor                         1-2 June
140^th 7 Days Battles           27-30 June
140^th Sharpsburg                13-15 Sept
Explorer Park (fund raiser $500)  Oct
Cedar Creek                         Oct
Ft. Branch                             Nov
Nov CW Show                    ?16-17 Nov?
F Co Annual Soriee            ?16 Nov

If you have anything you want considered you need to get me the write-up about it for the next newsletter ASAP, or at least prior to 25 Jan. 2002!!!  Send me the website link and an explanation of why you thing F Company should go.  Then it can be published on the signup sheet that everyone will receive prior to the meeting so that we can make a final decision at the meeting on the events.  There will be a slight change in how many events we do this upcoming season.  The Executive Committee has decided that the Company is going for quality events with a very high percentage of members in attendance.  We will not be put into the position of having to fall in with other groups due to the lack of members, again.  Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate our brother units in the SWB and JD, letting our members fall in but there is just something about falling in with your own company.   This change in the number of events means there will be less then that of previous years.  This will give everyone fewer events on the schedule, so that hopefully, we can maximize our membership attendance at events.  This strategy has been implemented to avoid the problems of last year, lots of events with little or no attendance.  The Executive Committee and I have learned our lesson that the members are voting with their feet, that we had too many events last year.  Therefore, we are going to try fewer events.  The schedule will be solely determined from the annual meeting.  Everyone will be expected to vote for events they want to attend, not what they think the company should attend.  If you are unable to attend the meeting you need to send your signup sheet to the PO Box ASAP.  The top 6 or 7 will be the schedule.  A new signup sheet will be gleaned from this democratic process and that will be set as the schedule and mailed, and should be returned as your final sign up sheet.  This means that events you vote for may or may not be on the final schedule.  The Executive Committee only asks that you do your final selection of events from the final schedule.  The COI is a fore gone conclusion and will not be counted in the voting.  The COI and the Annual Meeting are required for the Company to exist in its current stateas it is determined by the By-laws and policies in place.  If you have a better idea of how to bring attendance up at events, please bring it to the annual meeting with some plan for making it work.  Ideas without execution are just passing thoughts that are lost.    

New Baby News

From Mr. Courson’s email with minor changes 

December 3, 2001 around 12:30, Mr. and Mrs. Ward delivered their new baby son, weighing in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Both mother and baby are doing fine.  Mr. Ward, on the other hand, is doing great!

Grand Baby News

From Mrs. Vice’s email with minor changes

I am so pleased to announce a new addition to our family.  A granddaughter was born to my daughter and her husband last night on Dec.13, 2002.  Weighing in at 7 ¼.  Mother and daughter are doing fine.  Father who watched was a little shaky.    We are so excited.

Muzzi and PePa 

Capt. Jones

First Sergeants Report

I have been working hard to develop a much better and challenging layout for the bayonet exercise at the Camp of Instruction.  I hope everyone will enjoy this part of the Camp of Instruction more than last year.

For those of you who need hand dipped candles or a new shirt please give me a call or e-mail me and let me know what you want.  This is the perfect time to get those needed items over the layoff.  Also, if you need other items to complete your impression get on them now so you will have them by next season.  I still have material and buttons left for one battleshirt.  The problem is that you will need to get someone to sew it up.  If you are interested get your money to Jack, payable to F Company, and I will deliver the material.

Have a great holiday season and I will see you soon.

1^st Sgt. Wilson

1^st Lt.’s Report

I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season.  With all it’s hustle and bustle, please take time to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

As things begin to calm down, keep in mind that the annual meeting will be here before you know it.   It is February 23^rd.  Make plans to attend.  This is where you get to put your two cents worth in and elect officers and help determine the schedule for the year.

Also, now is a good time to take inventory of your uniform and equipment to see what needs to be repaired and/or replaced.  Don’t wait to the last minute to make those needed adjustments.

Enjoy the month off and I will see you in February.

1st. Lt. Turley

Slinging It Around
By
R. W. Gregory

Several months ago while looking through a reenactors Internet discussion board the subject of rifle slings came up. After some questions as who made a good reproduction; the talk wandered to the subject of did they did they or did they not have rifle slings? The consensus was that the soldiers probably considered them generally useless and extra weight and probably threw them away. There were some citations of unit records that recorded the issue of muskets of various types and only a few rifle slings.

First we have to consider what a rifle sling is used for. One purpose of the sling is to provide a means of attaining a steady firing platform for offhand firing. There is no mention of using the sling for this purpose in any U.S. manual until the First World War. So what was the sling designed for?

Of course the sling must have been designed so we can conveniently carry our musket on a long march. No not really. A search through various American drill and tactics manuals of period; such as Scott’s[1], Hardee’s[2], Gilham’s[3] and Casey’s[4] make no mention of the use of a sling for any purpose.         

U.S. manuals do make provision for an alternative means carrying of the musket. Right Shoulder Shift, and Trail Arms were designed to provide a means of carrying the musket besides the position of Shoulder Arms.

When we get to the command of “Route Step.” It was assumed that the soldier could carry the musket in a more comfortable position, but none of these manuals mentions using the sling as a means of carrying the musket while marching. The manuals merely specify that the soldier was to carry his musket so that the muzzle remained upright.

The first manual for which I can find mention of the use of the sling on a march is a foreign manual. Captain Barber’s  Instructions For The Formation and Exercise of Volunteer Sharp-Shooters[5] (1804 edition) was the basic manual that was used to train the embryonic rifle regiments (60^th and 95^th ) of the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars. In the manual of arms For Riflemen; Barber details the position of sling arms. In this movement the rifle was brought across the body in a port arms position; the left elbow was inserted in the sling, and then the rifle butt was brought upwards and the muzzle was placed in a downward position. The left hand would be used to steady the musket.

This position is carried forward in later editions of Her Majesties Drill Instruction. It is plainly apparent that this is authorized only for Riflemen armed with the Baker rifle and 1859 two banded musket. This could be the origin of the oft-stated reenactorism that Enfield muskets are carried with the rifle butt upwards. 

Egbert L. Viele’s (No I am not kidding), Handbook For Active Service Containing Practical Instructions In Campaign Duties; contains the advice that once “Route Step has been given… The soldiers now carry their arms in any manner most convenient. Some sling them over their shoulder, (most of them prefer this as least fatiguing.)”[6]

If this is the only reference we can find to the use of carrying the rifle by the sling; we can infer that it must not have been a primary purpose. So what was the purpose of the sling?

The true purpose of the sling was to provide a means for the soldier to keep his weapon close at hand while performing some duty that required the use of his hands. For example; soldiers might be required to carry some ammunition boxes forward. The rifle would then be slung across the back. In situations where they were in close proximity to the enemy, soldiers would not stack arms nor would they “ground arms.”

A definite example of this is in the pre-war Regiment of Mounted Rifles and the 2^nd Dragoons. Soldiers of the mounted rifles were issued the 1855 Rifle[7]. There was no provision on the horse equipment for the carrying of the rifle. Therefore these troops were required to carry their muskets slung across their backs as they rode. The situation was the same for the 2^nd Dragoons who were issued 1841 Mississippi rifles[8].

One of the responsibilities of U.S. Marines stationed aboard ships was to man the fighting tops. They would sling their muskets across their backs while making their way to their assigned posts in the ships rigging.

Engravings of the fighting in Mexico show U. S. troops climbing ladders during the assault on Chapaultepec with muskets slung across their backs. While other troops were assaulting the walls; soldiers of the 7^th Infantry slung their muskets on their backs while they battered down the gates to the fortress

Were slings available for issue?  Yes.

How were they available?  Items of equipment such as tents, buckets, axes, clothing and such were the responsibility of the Quartermaster Department. Gun slings were not considered normal equipage. Instead they were considered an item of ordnance. The rifle sling was one item of several that made up a set of accoutrements. A complete set of accoutrements was comprised of; 1 Cartridge box, 1 Cartridge box plate, 1 Waist belt, 1 Waist belt plate, 1 Bayonet scabbard and Frog, 1 Cap pouch & Cone pick, and 1 Gun sling.

During the war, the U.S. Government purchased just from contractors alone over 2 million, 100 thousand complete sets of accoutrements.[9] This number does not take into account complete sets made at several arsenals or the tens of thousands of complete sets of accoutrements purchased by various states who issued them to their own troops.

Therefore it should be safe to state that on the Federal side at least gun slings were readily available. 

On the Confederate side gun slings were also available in large quantities. As part of the 1808 Militia Act; the Adjutant Generals of states were authorized to draw from national stores a certain amount of muskets being held in storage at arsenals such as Harpers Ferry or at Springfield Massachusetts. As an option the adjutant generals could instead draw on sets of accoutrements which many of them took advantage of.

Prior to the war, many of the southern states entered in contracts with private contractors to provide full sets of accoutrements. With the outbreak of war and as the Confederate Ordnance Department got organized, supplies began to pour out of depots such as Richmond and Atlanta. In a letter to the Secretary of War dated 7 Jan 1863, Josiah Gorgas reported that the Ordnance Bureau had to date issued over 282, 000 complete sets of accoutrements, with another 25,000 in reserve.[10]

The cargo manifest of the blockade-runner Leopard in June 1862 lists among the items 4 cases of gun slings. Cargo manifests of other blockade-runners list cases of gun slings as well.[11]  On 8 Feb 1863, Josiah Gorgas reported that 40,240 gun slings had been purchased by Caleb Huse and had been shipped to Southern ports.[12]

So it should be clear that rifle slings were also readily available to Confederates as well.

Let’s discuss slings that would have been available for our two main types of weapons.

Enfield. Prior To the war, Enfield musket’s depending on the lot size could be purchased for $14.23 a piece. Each Enfield was supplied with a standard British Army sling. The British sling was one of two types: a white buff leather type sling issued to Guards and regular regiments, and a black leather sling issued to Rifle regiments.  It was made from bridle leather, 48" long and 1 1/4" wide.[13]

The sling was finished only on the inside. A leather thong attached the sling to the lower swivel. The sling could have a loop or a small brass buckle at the other end. 

Federal. The US regulation sling was a leather strap, 46 " long and 1 1/4" wide, with a captive loop at one end, a brass hook at the other, and a sliding keeper between The leather specified was "russet bag leather", which was a brown color, lighter weight leather.[14]

Cloth slings were introduced in an effort to save leather. Linen and canvas were the two most common types. The cloth would be folded over and sewn to add strength to the material. Small leather tabs would be sewn on the ends to help reduce wear on the slings. The dimensions were the same as the standard Federal sling. These slings proved less durable than their leather counterparts and the need for frequent replacement actually made them less practical.

Now let’s get to the subject of whether they had slings on their muskets or not. Did soldiers in the Civil War have slings on their muskets? To find out if they were carrying them I looked at pictures. Specifically I looked at pictures of troops in the field. I did not look at studio photos for the following reasons.

First, there is the good possibility that the weapon being held is a studio prop and not the actual weapon issued to that soldier. Secondly I believe it was highly unlikely that soldiers would be allowed out of camp with their weapons. Provosts in cities such as Norfolk and Richmond were having enough problems with drunken soldiers much less with armed men wandering around town.

Photos of Confederate units in the field are rare in comparison to photos of Federal units. However, careful study of the photos I did find was revealing. It did not matter what weapon the unit was armed with as the vast majority had slings attached to their weapons.

Photos of the Clinch River Rifles revealed slings attached to their 1841 Mississippi rifles.  A photograph of Louisiana Zouaves clearly showed slings on the 1842 muskets.

Photographs of the 9^th Mississippi stationed in Pensacola did not show any slings on the few muskets that could be seen; however, a careful examination of the photo did not show any large quantities of muskets in the background. It is a possibility that muskets might not have been issued in any quantity at the time the picture was taken.

I examined photos of pre war Southern militia units on the theory that it is most likely that these were the weapons they would have went to war with and they showed a preponderance of the units had slings attached.

Photos of Federals were even more revealing. Almost every photo I saw had slings on the muskets.

It is clear from supply records and photographic documentation that most Confederates had slings for their rifles. From the evidence supplied above you should equip your musket with a sling.

If you are carrying an Enfield; consider getting a British sling for your musket. A word of warning though, measure your sling swivels as the reproduction sling swivels are too narrow. ( as part of my defarbing I replaced my sling swivels with originals I picked up at a gun show for a couple of dollars.) Consult the uniform committee for a recommended source. For a Springfield definitely get yourself a regulation Federal sling.  Again check with the uniform committee for a source.

When the command is given to “Route Step” consider how you are going to carry your musket. For a more authentic appearance consider keeping that sling off your shoulder and instead carry your musket at the shoulder or at trail arms.

Author’s note: I would like to thank Mr. Dell Ballo and Mr. Abholt who graciously provided information used in the preparation of this article.